Garbage truck beats red light, hits motorcycle riders in QC

A garbage truck driver that tried to beat the red light ended up hitting two motorcycles on an intersection in Quezon City on Friday afternoon.

 

A report by Cesar Apolinario on GMA-7’s “24 Oras” said the truck was speeding along Commonwealth Avenue in Tandang Sora, when the stoplight turned red, it did not stop. It was at the intersection that the truck hit a motorcycle.

 

 

The truck driver was on his way to Payatas from the Quezon City Memorial Circle area.

 

“Pababa ang lugar na iyan. Kapag tumakbo ka ng mabilis at nawalan ka ng kontrol ay makaka-aksidente ka diyan,” said Barangay Old Balara Chairman Allan Franza.

 

One of the victims, Salvador Martinez, injured his leg in the accident and was not able to walk for four days.

 

“Masakit pa rin ang paa ko kasi may fracture. At hindi ako makatayo ng maayos kung hindi ako kakapit,” he said.

 

The victims have decided not to file a complaint against the truck driver after agreeing to a settlement.  

 

According to Barangay Old Balara officials, they were able to record an average of six to eight accidents a week. Most of the cases are vehicles that try to beat the red light on the same intersection.

 

“Matitigas po talaga ang ulo kahit na nakikita nila na naka-go na, eh pinipilit pa nila na dumiretso diyan... Iyong mga motorista po diyan, kagaya niyan kapag nakitang dilaw na, pinipilit nilang humabol,” a Metro Manila Development Authority traffic enforcer said.

 

Barangay Chairman Franza, on the other hand, reminded motorists the intersection is accident-prone and that they should follow traffic rules to prevent road mishaps.

 

“Iyang intersection na iyan accident-prone iyan. Madalas ang aksidente diyan.

Kailangan ang dumaraan diyan ay sumusunod sa batas trapiko,” he said.  — Trisha Macas, BAP, GMA News